Day 2, Little Rock to Amarillo and Route 66

Oct 8, 2017 Sun0Route 66



Miles:628
Start Point:Lonoke, AR
Sun Rise:7:09 AM CDT
Start Weather:      At 6:00 AM CDT the temperature was 70.9 ° with 86% humidity. The conditions were overcast with a wind speed of 1.4 MPH and wind gusts of 1.5 MPH.
End Point:Amarillo, TX
Sun Set:7:22 PM CDT
End Weather:      At 6:00 PM CDT the temperature was 82.5 ° with 22% humidity. The conditions were clear with a wind speed of 6.3 MPH and wind gusts of 9.3 MPH.

Today we visited some Route 66 sites I photographed earlier this year during my "40 to Phoenix" motorcycle ride. You can read more details about some of these places in that blog here.

Our favorite camping place, Walmart. There were 18 wheelers in this one. We have never seen that before.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:39:03 AM EDT
WalMart Campground

We both like getting out early.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 7:42:13 AM CDT Altitude: 708 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map

Neat video of transporting one of the blades for the windmills in the area.




Video


Oct 8, 2017 Sun
Transporting a single blade for a windmill.
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 12:42:38 PM CDT Altitude: 1363 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map

This is the original Route 66 road near Oklahoma City, OK. Note the concrete, narrow lanes and the upturned edges of the road to control water runoff.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 1:18:33 PM CDT Altitude: 1521 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Original Route 66 roadbed
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 1:20:03 PM CDT Altitude: 1521 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Original Route 66 roadbed
Laurie



Canute OK

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Oct 8, 2017 Sun 2:34:50 PM CDT Altitude: 1861 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Canute, OK, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 2:34:19 PM CDT Altitude: 1888 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Canute, OK, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 2:39:00 PM CDT Altitude: 1894 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Canute, OK, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 3:41:16 PM CDT Altitude: 2119 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
Laurie doing a pole dance.
Bobby, Laurie
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 3:42:08 PM CDT Altitude: 2119 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
Bobby, Laurie



Conoco Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe, Shamrock TX

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theroute-66.com
nps.gov

The Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe is located along historic Route 66 in Shamrock and was built in 1936. With its Art Deco detailing and two towers, the building was designed and constructed to be three separate structures.

The first was the Tower Conoco Station, named for the dominating four-sided obelisk rising from the flat roof and topped by a metal tulip. The second was the U-Drop Inn Cafe, which got its name from a local schooolboy's winning entry in a naming contest.

The third structure was supposed to be a retail store that instead became an overflow seating area for the cafe.

A careful restoration was completed in 2003 recovering its 1940s charm. Disney - Pixar spotted the building and included it in their 2006 movie, Cars, styling the "House of Body Art", the business of the character Ramone after the Conoco gas station.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:06:02 PM CDT Altitude: 2299 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:02:08 PM CDT Altitude: 2303 ft Camera: iPhone 6sDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Laurie
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:03:18 PM CDT Altitude: 2301 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:03:32 PM CDT Altitude: 2333 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:03:58 PM CDT Altitude: 2306 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:05:03 PM CDT Altitude: 2306 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:13:11 PM CDT Altitude: 2300 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
U-Drop-Inn, Shamrock, TX



Magnolia Gas Station, Shamrock TX

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Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:22:15 PM CDT Altitude: 2292 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored Magnolia gas station, Shamrock, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:24:00 PM CDT Altitude: 2293 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored Magnolia gas station, Shamrock, TX



1929 Gas Station, McLean TX

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nps.gov

In 1929, Phillips Petroleum chose McLean as the location for its first Texas station. The building's quaint Tudor Revival design complete with shutters and an exterior brick chimney reflected the trend of building gas stations that looked like cottages. The station operated for five decades before closing in 1977.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:53:07 PM CDT Altitude: 2853 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:50:58 PM CDT Altitude: 2853 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:51:20 PM CDT Altitude: 2844 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:51:51 PM CDT Altitude: 2853 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:51:55 PM CDT Altitude: 2842 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:52:12 PM CDT Altitude: 2838 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Bobby
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:52:30 PM CDT Altitude: 2853 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 4:54:35 PM CDT Altitude: 2855 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Restored gas station, McLean, TX



66 Super Service Station, Alanreed TX

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motortexas.com

This well preserved Historic Route 66 gas station is in Alanreed, Texas.

According to the historical plaque on the building, it was constructed in 1930 and owned by Bradley Kiser.

Unfortunately, there is very little additional information about Bradley Kiser or his super service station.

The building is currently owned and maintained by the Texas Route 66 Association. That should ensure its safety and preservation for years to come.

The architecture of this gas station seems to be very unique. It has a red Spanish tile roof but the building is constructed of a sand colored brick, probably a common local brick.

Another unusual aspect are the single columns supporting the two service area canopies.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:07:31 PM CDT Altitude: 3002 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:06:42 PM CDT Altitude: 3004 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:08:34 PM CDT Altitude: 2987 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:10:03 PM CDT Altitude: 2987 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Alanreed, TX, Route 66
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:10:45 PM CDT Altitude: 3035 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Alanreed, TX, Route 66



Ghost Town of Jericho TX

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theroute-66.com:

The creation of the National Highway System in 1926 with the Chicago to Los Angeles highway passing through Jericho brought some prosperity: travelers began passing through the town in growing numbers. Soon it had three stores a service station, garage and even a "tourist Court". Its local farmers shipped their grain out through the grain elevator.

Population peaked at around 100 in 1933, dwindling after that. It was a long downwards spiral: the post office closed in 1995, the tracks were abandoned and lifted in the mid 1980s, and the old buildings crumbled in disrepair. Now only crumbling walls and some concrete foundations mark the old town. The cemetery however is still in use.

Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:37:08 PM CDT Altitude: 3180 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map
Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:36:15 PM CDT Altitude: 3180 ft Camera: X100FDisplay on Google Map



Leaning Tower of Texas, Groom TX

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Oct 8, 2017 Sun 5:53:59 PM CDT Altitude: 3241 ft Camera: iPhone 5sDisplay on Google Map
Leaning Tower of Texas, Groom, TX



Elevation Changes During the Day


The day started at 425 feet and ended at 3,634 feet. The highest altitude was 3,634 feet and the lowest altitude was 250 feet.




Google Map Track Log


Pick a trip from the first drop down list below.
Wing World Article




TagsConfederate Statues  (32),Motorcycle  (97),National Parks  (9),Odd  (1),Route 66  (33),Unemployment  (6),Zombies  (1)